Elisha Jenkins
Encyclopedia
Elisha Jenkins was an American politician who served as New York Secretary of State and Mayor of Albany.
Quaker family, who in 1784 came to settle at Hudson, New York
. He later lived in Albany, New York
, and was one of the first prominent Quakers there. Throughout his adult life, he was a dry goods merchant in the partnerships of Wendell & Jenkins and Thomas Jenkins & Sons. In 1792, he married Catherine Green (ca. 1771-1835), of Providence, R.I. After her death he married his second wife, Hannah.
He was a Federalist member of the New York State Assembly
from Columbia County
in 1795 and 1798, but changed sides in 1798 when his close political friend Ambrose Spencer
joined the Democratic-Republicans.
Jenkins was Columbia County Treasurer from 1798 to 1802, and New York State Comptroller
from 1801 to 1806. He was New York Secretary of State from 1806 to 1807, from 1808 to 1810, and from 1811 to 1813. In April 1807, after his first term as Secretary of State, Jenkins was attacked in the street in Albany
by Solomon Van Rensselaer
, a Federalist of whom Jenkins was a fierce critic. Jenkins sued for damages, and was awarded $2,500. He served as Quartermaster General of the Northern Department during the War of 1812
, Mayor of Albany from 1816 to 1819, and presidential elector in 1840.
He was buried in Hudson, New York
.
Life
He was born to a Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
Quaker family, who in 1784 came to settle at Hudson, New York
Hudson, New York
Hudson is a city located along the west border of Columbia County, New York, United States. The city is named after the adjacent Hudson River and ultimately after the explorer Henry Hudson.Hudson is the county seat of Columbia County...
. He later lived in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, and was one of the first prominent Quakers there. Throughout his adult life, he was a dry goods merchant in the partnerships of Wendell & Jenkins and Thomas Jenkins & Sons. In 1792, he married Catherine Green (ca. 1771-1835), of Providence, R.I. After her death he married his second wife, Hannah.
He was a Federalist member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from Columbia County
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
in 1795 and 1798, but changed sides in 1798 when his close political friend Ambrose Spencer
Ambrose Spencer
Ambrose Spencer was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:He attended Yale College from 1779 to 1782, and graduated from Harvard University in 1783...
joined the Democratic-Republicans.
Jenkins was Columbia County Treasurer from 1798 to 1802, and New York State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
from 1801 to 1806. He was New York Secretary of State from 1806 to 1807, from 1808 to 1810, and from 1811 to 1813. In April 1807, after his first term as Secretary of State, Jenkins was attacked in the street in Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
by Solomon Van Rensselaer
Solomon Van Rensselaer
Solomon Van Vechten Van Rensselaer was a United States Representative from the state of New York, a lieutenant colonel during the War of 1812, and postmaster of Albany. He was the son of Gen...
, a Federalist of whom Jenkins was a fierce critic. Jenkins sued for damages, and was awarded $2,500. He served as Quartermaster General of the Northern Department during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Mayor of Albany from 1816 to 1819, and presidential elector in 1840.
He was buried in Hudson, New York
Hudson, New York
Hudson is a city located along the west border of Columbia County, New York, United States. The city is named after the adjacent Hudson River and ultimately after the explorer Henry Hudson.Hudson is the county seat of Columbia County...
.
Sources
- http://longislandgenealogy.com/greene/gp248.htm Entry at Long Island Genealogy
- http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/columbia/genhistcolco/chapt10_1878_hist.htm The Columbia County Civil List
- http://www.kindredkonnections.com/jenkinsgenealogy/JENKINS-366.html Jenkins Genealogy, at Kindred Konnections
- http://external.oneonta.edu/cooper/articles/nyhistory/1991nyhistory-taylor.html Essay with an account of Van Rensselaer's attack